News

Dr. John Brings Locked Down to Life with Dan Auerbach, Members of Antibalas

Photos by Dino Perrucci

Last night, Dr. John performed every song off his new studio album Locked Down at Brooklyn, NY’s BAM. The performance was part of the New Orleans keyboardist’s extended ‘Insides In’ residency at the historic theater. An all-star band backed Dr. John throughout his 90-minute set, including Locked Down producer/Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach, Poets of Rhythm drummer Max Weissenfeldt, singers The McCrary Sisters, El Michels Affair keyboardist/Daptone family member Leon Michels, Daptone/Antibalas bassist Nick Movshon, guitarist/woodwinds ace Brian Olive and Antibalas percussionist Yoshihiro “Yoshi” Takemas. A horn section featuring Antibalas trombonist Aaron Johnson and Dap-Kings trumpeter Dave Guy also augmented the ensemble throughout the night.

While Dr. John played organ and Clavier for most of the set, he also moved to grand piano for a new songs and even offered a solo version of “Such a Nite” before the show’s encore. At one point, he also got up from the keyboard and danced while his band stretched out for a few moments. To the diapoinment of his fans, Auerbach opted not to address the crowd during the show, even when a fan screamed for “The Black Keys.”

Dr. John and Auerbach first shared the stage at Bonnaroo last June but last night’s set was the first time the pianist performed a full set of songs from Locked Down (he debuted a few tunes at SXSW last month). In addition to every song of Locked Down, Dr. John offered a few songs from “back in the game” as well and even three numbers from his solo debut Gris-Gris : “Jump Sturdy,” “Mama Roux” and “I Walk on Guilded Splinters.” Other classics included “Glowin’,” “Black John The Conquerer” and the above-mentioned solo take on “Such a Nite.”

Dr. John will perform with the same band at BAM this evening. For more on the collaboration, please read Mike Greenhaus’ interview over on Relix.com.

some late to the party pseudo hipster screaming “THEBLACK KEYS!!!” at a Dr. John concert, with some of the most impressive new school soul and funk cats throwing hammers. I like the Black Keys, but in all actuality, Dan Auerbach is outmatched in this ensemble, and I might elbow drop anyone that screamed for the black keys while the good doctor was working his voodoo magic

Angelica April 22, 2012, 00:22:40

I had spotting a culpoe of time during the first few weeks of pregnancy. I guess as long as it’s just spotting and not bleeding, you’re perfectly fine. I agree with Kayth, sabi nga nila normal din minsan yung spotting during the first few weeks because of the embryo implanting itself or something to that effect. don’t worry, jade. my prayers are with you.

haha holy shit this album is more awesome than i thhuogt it was going to be and i had sky high expectations! amazing album, perhaps the best i’ve heard all year. great, after many months of waiting im a week away from seeing Puscifer live and this album might have just stolen all it’s thunder haha! thanks for the share, dewlap. yet more proof rock isn’t dead, it’s just hiding ffs